Corner shower unit

ABSTRACT

A shower system provides a corner shower unit which includes a track defined along a vertical height thereof. A lumbar support and a multitude of showerheads are mounted to the track for vertical adjustment. The lumbar support permits a bather standing in the shower to lean against the lumbar support while a multitude of spray jets provide a massage action directly to the bather. A steam generation system is incorporated into the corner shower unit to mist steam from steam ports such that shower may also be utilized as a steam room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shower unit, and more particularly toa corner shower unit with a lumbar cushion.

Oversized luxury showers and accessories are becoming increasingdesirable in new construction and bathroom renovations. Such showerstypically include one or more multi-function showerheads individuallymounted to a ceiling or wall of the shower. Each showerhead typicallyprovides a plurality of spray modes, including various standard spraysand pulsed sprays. Multi-function showerheads may also have flow controlvalves to allow the user to adjust the flow pressure to a desired level.

Although somewhat effective in providing a desired shower experience,even luxury showers may lack various massage and bathing features moreassociated with a whirlpool tub. However, the time requirementsassociated with filling a whirlpool bath often outweigh and operate asan impediment to more regular usage of the whirlpool tub.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a shower which provides themassage and bathing features of a whirlpool tub experience without thetime requirements associated with filling a relatively large whirlpooltub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shower system according to the present invention provides a cornershower unit with a track defined along a vertical height thereof. Alumbar support and a multitude of showerheads are mounted to the trackfor vertical adjustment relative the corner shower unit such that thelumbar support is positionable for bathers of various heights. Thecorner shower unit permits a bather standing in the shower to leanagainst the lumbar support while a multitude of shower jets to provide amassage action. The shower unit is manufactured of relatively softresilient materials to cushion a bather leaning thereupon.

Each of the multitude of showerheads are also mounted to the track. Themultitude of showerheads are individually adjustable along the length ofthe track to shower the bather from various directions.

A steam generation system is incorporated into the corner shower unit tomist steam from steam ports such that shower may also be utilized as asteam room.

The present invention therefore provides a shower system that providesthe massage and bathing features of a whirlpool tub experience withoutthe time requirements associated therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings thataccompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a shower unit designed accordingto the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of a lumbar support attachment mountingarrangement with a track of a shower unit; and

FIG. 3 is an expanded view of showerhead mounting arrangement with atrack located upon a shower unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of a shower 10. The shower10 generally includes a base 12, one or more walls 14 and a ceiling 16.It should be understood that the term “base” is not limited to justshower bases but that relatively deeper tubs and the like will alsobenefit from the present invention. It should also be understood thatalthough a particular component arrangement is disclosed in theillustrated embodiment, other arrangements, e.g. molded surround ortiled construction will benefit from the instant invention.

A corner shower unit 18 is mounted in a corner intersection of the walls14. The corner shower unit 18 is preferably a single molded componenthaving an inner periphery defined by a radius 20.

An overhead showerhead 22 extends adjacent an upper segment 24 of thecorner shower unit 18. A rectilinear showerhead 26A, 26B preferablyflank the overhead showerhead 22 to dispense water in sheets to providea waterfall effect upon the bather. It should be understood thatalthough a rectilinear waterfall shower is preferred, other showereffects will also be usable with the present invention.

The corner shower unit 18 includes a track 28 preferably defined along avertical height thereof. A lumbar support 30 is mounted to the track 28for vertical adjustment relative the corner shower unit 18 to positionthe lumbar support 30 for bathers of various heights. The corner showerunit 18 permits a bather standing in the shower to lean against thelumbar support 30. The lumbar support 30 supports a lower back while amultitude of spray jets 32 provide a water jet massage spray action.Most preferably, the shower unit 12 is manufactured of relatively softresilient materials such as a semi-rigid waterproof foam to cushion abather leaning thereupon.

The lumbar support 30 is attached to the track 28 through a tab 31 andgroove 33 sliding interface arrangement 35 formed with the track 28(FIG. 2). The sliding interface arrangement 35 permits movement of thelumbar support 30 while providing communication of water from a watersupply to the spray jets 32 through flexible water supply conduit (FIG.2; illustrated schematically at 37). Locking features such as teeth 39preferably retain the lumbar support 3Q in a vertical position along thetrack 28. It should be understood that although a sliding slot andgroove interface is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, variousother interface and vertical locking arrangements may alternatively oradditionally be used with the present invention.

The lumbar support 30 includes a shelf area 34 upon an upper surface tostore bathing supplies or such like. Various raised surface details 41are further located upon the surface of the lumbar support 30.

Each of the multitude of spray jets 32 are located within a recess 36such that water spray is not blocked when a bather leans upon the lumbarsupport 30. By locating the spray jets 32 in the lumbar support 30 asignificant massage action is provided to the lower back of the bather.The spray jets 32 provide a soothing massage while the bather isstanding in the shower. In other words, the massage effect of the waterjets common to a whirlpool tub experience is combined with theconvenience of a shower.

A multitude of showerheads 38 are also mounted to the track 28. Themultitude of showerheads are preferably spherical in shape and may beindividually adjusted along the length of the track 28 in a manner asthe lumbar support 30. The multitude of showerheads 38 may also be aimedthrough various attachments such as a ball and socket arrangement. Aportion of each showerhead 38 defines a ball portion 40 which isreceived within a complementary socket 42 (FIG. 3) that interfaces withthe track 28 to provide vertical adjustment and water communication asdiscussed with regard to the lumbar support 30. It should be understoodthat although a sliding slot and groove interface is disclosed in theillustrated embodiment, various other sliding interface and verticallocking arrangements may alternatively or additionally be used with thepresent invention.

A steam generation system 44 is preferably incorporated into the cornershower unit 18 to mist steam from steam ports 46. The steam ports 46 arelocated along an outer edge 48 of the corner shower unit 18 such thatshower may then be utilized as a steam room.

Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, itshould be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separatedor combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from thepresent invention.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by thelimitations within. Many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferredembodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one ofordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modificationswould come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For thatreason the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

1. A shower system comprising: a corner shower unit; a lumbar supportmounted to said corner shower unit; and a spray jet mounted within saidlumbar support.
 2. The shower system as recited in claim 1, wherein saidlumbar support is manufactured of a resilient material.
 3. The showersystem as recited in claim 1, wherein said lumbar support is movablerelative said corner shower unit.
 4. The shower system as recited inclaim 1, wherein said lumbar support is vertically adjustable.
 5. Theshower system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a multitude ofshowerheads mounted to said corner shower unit.
 6. The shower system asrecited in claim 5, wherein each of said multitude of showerheads aremovable relative said corner shower unit.
 7. The shower system asrecited in claim 5, wherein each of said multitude of showerheads arevertically adjustable.
 8. The shower system as recited in claim 5,wherein each of said multitude of showerheads are generally spherical.9. The shower system as recited in claim 1, further comprising anoverhead showerhead mounted to said corner shower unit.
 10. The showersystem as recited in claim 1, further comprising a steam generationsystem mounted within said corner shower unit.
 11. A shower systemcomprising: a corner shower unit; a lumbar support mounted to saidcorner shower unit, said lumbar support being vertically adjustablealong a track formed within said corner shower unit; and a spray jetmounted within said lumbar support.
 12. The shower system as recited inclaim 11, further comprising a multitude of showerheads mounted to saidtrack.
 13. The shower system as recited in claim 12, wherein each ofsaid multitude of showerheads are individually movable along said track.14. The shower system as recited in claim 12, wherein each of saidmultitude of showerheads are generally spherical.
 15. A method ofshowering water within a shower comprising the steps of: (1) providing alumbar support within a shower in which a standing bather may leanagainst; and (2) showering water from a spray jet located within thelumbar support to shower the bather.
 16. A method as recited in claim15, further comprising the step of: adjusting the vertical position ofthe lumbar support.
 17. A method as recited in claim 15, furthercomprising the step of: adjusting a vertical position of a showerheadrelative the lumbar support.